Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#14]
JERUSALEM- REBUILDING THE WALLS
Matthew 23:37
Introduction:
We are continuing in our Series about some of the most mentioned Cities in the Bible. Tonight, we are going to study the city that is 1st on the list- Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned 811 times in the Bible. Currently, there are 3 different Religions that consider Jerusalem to be a holy site- Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
Matthew 23:37
We studied last week how the 2nd Temple was built. Tonight, we are going to study how Nehemiah rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem and replaced all of the gates.
A great leader’s…
1. Attributes.
What kind of a person does it take to get the job done? In a period of about 36 years, Jerusalem’s walls were rebuilt, people were reorganized, and reforms were made in worship. These accomplishments were attributed to the leadership of Nehemiah because of his relationship with God.
Nehemiah 1:5-6
A great builder…
* Is reverent to God.
Nehemiah bowed before God. Nehemiah showed humility and submission as he lifted his voice in prayer. When Nehemiah recognized God’s holiness, he fell before God and recognized his own sinfulness.
Nehemiah 1:6-7
A great builder…
* Recognizes their sinfulness.
Nehemiah recognized his personal sin and the sin of the people. Commandments had been broken; statutes had not been kept, and the ordinances had been forgotten. We need to recognize our sin and the necessity of confession.
Nehemiah 1:8-9
A great builder…
* Respects God’s ways.
Sin always separates man from God and man from man. The people were scattered; but Nehemiah respected God’s way to regather the people. God’s way is the only way. We must turn to Him- Repent.
A great leader’s…
2. Opportunities.
* Available opportunity.
God challenges man through unusual circumstances. Most of us think that God opens the door of opportunity only through the circumstances in our lives. Nehemiah disproved this theory by giving us his personal testimony.
Opportunity opened to Nehemiah while he was doing his regular daily tasks. “I was the king’s cupbearer” (Nehemiah 1:11). “I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king” (Nehemiah 2:1). There was no fire from Heaven, no great wind, no great earthquake. God’s available opportunity can more often be found in the everyday experiences at work, at home, and at play. God makes opportunity available even in sickness and sorrow, in heartbreak and confusion. A person only needs to be aware (Nehemiah 2:2).
Nehemiah 2:4
* Awareness of opportunity.
Nehemiah was aware of available opportunity. He was working at his regular tasks yet was sensitive to the leadership of God. This awareness and sensitivity have a direct relationship to each other. A daily walk with God is a prerequisite. A man must let the Lord’s leadership control him for complete awareness.
* Advantage of opportunity.
God can make opportunity available. We can be aware of that opportunity; but unless we take advantage of it, it is of no use. Nehemiah was ready to step forward and take action the moment opportunity was available.
A great leader’s…
3. Self-examination.
Christians ought to be optimistic, yet at the same time they must be realistic. Nehemiah examined the conditions of the city and found the walls broken down, the gates burned, and rubble piled high in the streets.
* Walls were broken down.
Nehemiah heard that the walls were broken down. He saw the broken-down walls and realized the danger. The City was vulnerable; there was no protection. We have spiritual walls that have been broken down. The wall of prayer is broken down, leaving our lives unprotected and vulnerable. Walls of Bible study are broken down, leaving our lives without strength. Walls of family worship are broken down, leaving our families without unity.
* Gates were burned.
Compare the gates of Jerusalem to the gate of the sheepfold. Christ is our shepherd and the gate to the sheepfold. When Christ is left out of our lives it is as if the gates of our lives have been burned; and we are vulnerable to the enemy.
* Streets were filled with rubble.
The streets were filled with fragments of destroyed buildings. Lives are filled today with fragments of rubble. The walls are down; the gates are burned; and rubble is piled high in the streets. What can be done about these conditions? Nehemiah prayed, dedicated himself, and went to work.
